Month: October 2025

Shutdown Update – The path to reopening the federal government remains unclear as the shutdown extends into its fourth week. Senate Democrats have so far rejected the stopgap spending bill, which would extend government funding through November 21, 12 times. Democrats also blocked legislation last week that would have paid those federal employees who have worked since October 1 without pay. Most government employees missed their first full paycheck of the shutdown on Friday. Democrats are refusing to support any spending measure that does not extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) advanced premium tax credits that are set to expire on December 31, while Republican leadership insists that the government be reopened before lawmakers debate the extension of the subsidies.

 

The next ACA marketplace enrollment period will open on November 1^st, and is expected to be accompanied by significant premium hikes without extension of the enhanced subsidies beyond this calendar year. The President has reportedly expressed an interest in broader health care reform efforts, but has not provided guidance to congressional Republicans about whether or how to protect Americans from projected premium increases. Informal conversations are taking place amongst GOP leadership on Capitol Hill about pairing an extension of the credits with Republican health policy priorities, and using a future funding bill as a vehicle for passage. Reforming the structure of the tax credits and strengthening program integrity are also under discussion. A group of 13 moderate Republicans sent a letter last week urging House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to immediately turn his focus to extension of the subsidies once the government reopens. The lawmakers, led by Reps. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), argue that “allowing these tax credits to lapse without a clear path forward would risk real harm to those we represent,” while also acknowledging that reforms are needed to make the tax credits “more fiscally responsible.”

 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will recall approximately 3,000 furloughed staff on Monday. The agency will use fees it charges outside researchers to access its data to pay the individuals, with plans to repay the user fee fund when the government reopens. Approximately 47% of CMS staff were furloughed at the start of the government shutdown. A CMS spokesperson said that the move will allow CMS “to best serve the American people amid the Medicare and ACA open enrollment seasons.”

 

Scott, Gillibrand Release Report on Generic Supply Chain – Bipartisan leadership of the Senate Special Committee on Aging released a new investigative report last week regarding the nation’s overreliance on foreign-made generic drugs. The report, Protecting Seniors’ Access to Essential Medications: Securing the Foreign Generic Pharmaceutical Supply Chain, from Chairman Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Ranking Member Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) highlights the decline in domestically manufactured pharmaceuticals consumed in the U.S. from 83% in 2002 to 37% in 2024, and makes recommendations for addressing generic drug supply chain vulnerabilities. The lawmakers suggest:

• Establishing a federal buyer’s market for essential medicines;
• Mapping generic drug supply chains;
• Requiring companies to disclose country of origin for finished pharmaceuticals;
• Utilizing trade levers like the administration’s 232 investigation authority;
• Passing clarifying language to close loopholes that allow foreign-made products to be categorized as ‘Made in America’; and
• Supporting U.S. biotechnology.

 

Lawmakers Comment on Medicaid Cuts, Changes – Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) have sent a letter calling for the Trump administration to provide clarity about changes to the Medicaid program instituted by the GOP budget reconciliation bill earlier this year. The legislation placed a moratorium on three rules finalized under the Biden administration to improve Medicaid enrollment, reduce Medicare costs for low-income seniors, and ensure adequate staffing in nursing homes. The lawmakers attest that state leaders are unclear about which provisions within the final rules remain in effect, and whether they have the authority to implement certain policies as a state option, even if they are no longer required to implement the rules in their entirety. “This confusion is a precursor to the broader operational challenges states will face in implementing Trumpcare’s many Medicaid cuts and federal mandates,” the letter states. “The lack of clarity will result in eligible people losing or being unable to access Medicaid coverage, and less effective tools to assess the number of staff needed to safely staff nursing homes.”

 

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) also sent several letters to the administration last week regarding states’ use of taxpayer funding to provide Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrants. Sen. Grassley details how certain states use provider taxes as an indirect mechanism to subsidize Medicaid coverage for immigrants. Federal law prohibits states from using federal Medicaid funds to cover undocumented individuals. His letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services inspector general requests a nationwide investigation into this practice, and he asks CMS to review what guardrails are in place to prevent it. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act contained restrictions on how high states can set provider tax rates.

 

Democrat Committee Leaders Raise Concerns About TrumpRx – Congressional Democrats are demanding answers about the recently announced TrumpRx direct-to-consumer platform for pharmaceutical sales. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), and House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Mass.) are raising concerns about the initiative’s association with companies, donors, and individuals with ties to the President. “Without more transparency, we cannot properly oversee the development and effectiveness of a new government prescription drug purchasing platform and the alleged price reductions,” the lawmakers state in one letter. “We are disappointed that the Administration has, once again, not been forthcoming about its plans with Congress or the public about a major announcement that claims to affect the affordability of health care for the American people.” The Democratic committee leaders sent a separate letter specifically related to Donald Trump Jr.’s position on BlinkRx’s Board of Directors.

 

New CBO Estimate of Reconciliation Bill’s Orphan Drug Provision – The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released an analysis last week responding to questions regarding an orphan drug provision contained in this year’s budget reconciliation bill. The information came in response to a request from Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), and House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Mass.). CBO originally estimated the cost of enacting section 71203, which delays or exempts certain drugs from selection for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, at $4.9 billion. This estimate did not account for the orphan drugs Darzalex, Keytruda, and Opdivo during the 2025–2034 period. After incorporating those drugs into its analysis, CBO now estimates that the 10-year cost of this section of the bill will be $8.8 billion.

 

Alicia Jackson Sworn in as ARPA-H Director – The Trump administration has selected Alicia Jackson to lead the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Jackson is a health technology entrepreneur. She previously served as the deputy director for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s biology programs office, and most recently founded and served as the CEO of Evernow, a telehealth company for menopause care. Renee Wegrzyn, the inaugural ARPA-H director, was fired from her post in February. The position requires a presidential appointment but not confirmation by the Senate.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

Senate Finance Committee hearing to consider the nomination of Thomas Bell, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services; 10:00 a.m.; October 29

 

Senate HELP Committee hearing “The Future of Biotech: Maintaining U.S. Competitiveness and Delivering Lifesaving Cures to Patients;” 10:00 a.m.; October 29

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing to consider the nomination of Casey Means to be Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service and Surgeon General of the Public Health Service; 11:00 a.m.; October 30

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.5764 — To amend the Small Business Act to require small business development centers to assist small business concerns with the use of artificial intelligence, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Alford, Mark [Rep.-R-MO-4]; Committees: House – Small Business

 

H.R.5768 — Skin Substitute Access and Payment Reform Act – To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust payment for skin substitute products under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5770 — To establish biotechnology workforce training programs for Department of Defense personnel, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Houlahan, Chrissy [Rep.-D-PA-6]; Committees: House – Armed Services

 

H.R.5784 — To amend the Small Business Act to help small business concerns critically evaluate artificial intelligence tools, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Scholten, Hillary J. [Rep.-D-MI-3]; Committees: House – Small Business

 

H.R.5791 — To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to establish an expedited process for the approval of certain biologics license application supplements for blood centers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Wied, Tony [Rep.-R-WI-8]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.3019 — A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to provide for the treatment of orphan drugs under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program; Sponsor: Welch, Peter [Sen.-D-VT]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.3033 — A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish partnerships between medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs and medical facilities in rural areas, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.Res.464 — A resolution designating September 2025 as “National Cholesterol Education Month” and September 30, 2025, as “LDL-C Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Hyde-Smith, Cindy [Sen.-R-MS]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.Res.465 — A resolution designating September 2025 as “National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Scott, Tim [Sen.-R-SC]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.3038 — A bill to establish a real-time data dashboard for graduate medical education training positions to improve health care workforce planning and distribution for the purposes of alleviating physician shortages in medically underserved communities; Sponsor: Blackburn, Marsha [Sen.-R-TN]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.3042 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to Congress each year an annual report that contains data and information on the causes of deaths among veterans, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hickenlooper, John W. [Sen.-D-CO]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.3047 — A bill to provide for the treatment of certain critical access hospitals; Sponsor: Hyde-Smith, Cindy [Sen.-R-MS]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.3048 — A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to allow for the use of telehealth in substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Murkowski, Lisa [Sen.-R-AK]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Government Shutdown Update – During the third week of the government shutdown, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) continued to force votes on the continuing resolution (CR) passed by the House of Representatives last month. Senate Democrats have so far rejected the stopgap spending bill, which would extend government funding through November 21, ten times. The Senate GOP is no longer allowing Democrats to call up their alternate proposal for funding the government. Republicans continue to need the support of at least five more Democrats to overcome a filibuster of the stopgap spending bill, with three members of the Democratic caucus (Sens. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Angus King (I-Maine)) already backing the CR, and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) remaining in opposition. Democrats are refusing to support any spending measure that does not extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) advanced premium tax credits that are set to expire on December 31, while Republican leadership insists that the government be reopened before lawmakers debate the extension of the subsidies.

 

The House remains out of session, surpassing a month since the chamber’s last vote. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has indicated that the House will remain out of session until the government is reopened, an approach aimed at pressuring the Senate to adopt the clean, House-passed CR. With no fiscal year 2026 spending bills having been signed into law, this is the longest government-wide shut down in the nation’s history. The previous funding lapse impacting the entire federal government was in FY 2014 and lasted 16 days. While there have been no signs of progress that an agreement is close to being reached between Republican and Democratic congressional leadership and the Trump administration, ongoing conversations are taking place between a bipartisan group of rank-and-file senators about how to reopen the federal government. The group is reportedly considering the possibility of a one-year extension of the ACA subsidies paired with a package of longer-term reforms.

 

Federal district court judge Susan Illston has issued a temporary restraining order pending further arguments on the reductions in force (RIFs) that have taken place amidst the government shutdown. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) admitted it mistakenly fired 800 of the 1,760 people who received layoff notices, blaming data discrepancies and processing errors in a document filed as part of the case. HHS still wishes to pursue the firing of 982 employees. The court order will not have any immediate impact, given that workers are already on furlough and the layoffs were meant to go into effect on December 8. The American Federation of Government Employees, which brought the lawsuit against the Trump administration, has said that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workers were the biggest target of HHS’ latest RIF.  Reports indicate that employees at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and the Office of Population Affairs also received termination notices. The court is expected to hold a hearing for a preliminary injunction in the case in the next two weeks.

 

Senate Democrats Block Defense Appropriations Consideration – Senate Democrats blocked consideration of the annual Defense spending measure last week. The chamber voted 50-44 against proceeding to the bill, despite the measure being advanced out of committee with bipartisan support earlier this year. All but three Democrats opposed the procedural move to open debate on the bill. Republicans in the chamber had considered attaching the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies spending bill to the measure had it received enough votes to be considered. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) argued that the GOP was not united enough within their own party to add other priorities to the Defense legislation.

 

Senate Republicans Continue Push for Mifepristone Safety Review – Republican lawmakers continue to press the Trump administration regarding the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of a new generic version of the abortion drug mifepristone. Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) led a letter to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD last week expressing concerns that the move undermines the President’s pro-life agenda. The letter requests that the commissioner share details about the safety studies currently being conducted on the chemical abortion regimen. The letter was signed by Sens. Tommy Tuberville (Ala.), Rand Paul (Ky.), Josh Hawley (Mo.), Pete Ricketts (Neb.), Mike Lee (Utah), James Risch (Idaho), John Cornyn (Texas), James Lankford (Okla.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Ted Budd (N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), Roger Wicker (Miss.), Jon Husted (Ohio), Steve Daines (Mont.), Tim Scott (S.C.), and Mike Rounds (S.D.). The lawmakers request a response by October 30.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing “A Review of the Activities and Fiscal Year 2026 Funding Priorities of the Office of the United States Trade Representative;” October 21

 

Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs markup to consider the nomination of John Bartrum, of Indiana, to be Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health; time TBA; October 22

 

Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing “Modernizing Health Care: How Shoppable Services Improve Outcomes and Lower Costs;” 3:30 p.m.; October 22

 

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing “The 340B Program: Examining Its Growth and Impact on Patients;” 10:00 a.m.; October 23

 

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.Res.803 — Urging the Director of the Food and Drug Administration to reevaluate the safety of all chemical abortion drugs in light of recent independent studies, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Rose, John W. [Rep.-R-TN-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5733 — To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to award grants to train community mental wellness workers, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Espaillat, Adriano [Rep.-D-NY-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5736 —To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to include penicillin allergy verification and evaluation as part of the initial preventive physical examination under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Griffith, H. Morgan [Rep.-R-VA-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5737 —To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to modify data collection requirements for appropriate use criteria for applicable imaging services, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Harshbarger, Diana [Rep.-R-TN-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

S.3006 — A bill to amend the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to reauthorize the youth prevention and recovery initiative, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Peters, Gary C. [Sen.-D-MI]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.805 — Recognizing October 2025 as “American Pharmacists Month” in honor of the contribution of pharmacists to provide safe, accessible, affordable, and beneficial patient care services and products to all residents and protect the public health of our communities; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.806 — Supporting the recognition of October 2025 as “National Breast Cancer Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Carter, Earl L. “Buddy” [Rep.-R-GA-1]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.5747 — To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, to carry out a program under which the Secretary requires each covered distributor of a highly pathogenic agent to comply with certain logbook requirements, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Costa, Jim [Rep.-D-CA-21]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5758 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to permit the voluntary transmission of patient contact information to certain religious or faith-based organizations by chaplains employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Self, Keith [Rep.-R-TX-3]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.3011 — A bill to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to exclude coverage of gender-transition procedures for minors and abortion under health plans offered through the American Health Benefits Exchanges, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Hawley, Josh [Sen.-R-MO]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.3014 — A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to citizen petitions; Sponsor: Shaheen, Jeanne [Sen.-D-NH]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Government Shutdown Update – During the second week of the government shutdown, the Senate continued holding votes on the opposing options for reopening the government.  Senate Democrats have so far rejected the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) to extend government funding through November 21 seven times. Senate Republicans have also continued to block Democrats’ alternate funding proposal containing $1.5 trillion in added spending. Discussions on ending the government shutdown are ongoing as the shutdown enters another full work week, but there have been few signs of progress that an agreement is close to being reached.  The House of Representatives remains in a district work period as a means to pressure senators into supporting the House-passed CR; House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has indicated that the House will remain out of session until the government is reopened. Democrats are refusing to support any spending measure that does not extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) advanced premium tax credits that are set to expire on December 31, while Republican leadership insists that the government be reopened before lawmakers debate the extension of the subsidies. Senate Republicans need the support of at least five more Democrats to overcome a filibuster of the stopgap spending bill, with three members of the Democratic caucus (Sens. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Angus King (I-Maine) already backing the CR, and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) remaining in opposition.

 

Federal workers missed a paycheck on October 10 as a result of the shutdown, while the military will miss its first paycheck on October 15. The administration circulated a draft memo last week indicating that furloughed government workers may not be eligible for back pay. This stance appears to contradict the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump during his first term in office. The White House has also begun laying off federal workers, in line with the Office of Management and Budget’s instructions to federal agencies on permanent reductions-in-force (RIF) ahead of the government shutdown. Reports indicate that multiple divisions across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began receiving RIF notices on Friday.

 

Senate Adds BIOSECURE Provision to NDAA – The Senate voted to add a provision to this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to bar Chinese “biotechnology companies of concern” from receiving federal funding. The BIOSECURE Act was added to the annual defense policy bill via voice vote. A previous version of the legislation was omitted from last year’s NDAA due to concerns about naming specific biotech companies to be scrutinized. This year’s bill does not single out companies that pose a national security risk. The NDAA passed the Senate in a bipartisan 77-20 vote on Thursday.

 

Cassidy Criticizes AMA, CPT Coding System – Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) has penned a letter to the American Medical Association (AMA) regarding the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding system. Sen. Cassidy criticizes the AMA for “abusing its government-endorsed CPT monopoly to charge every stakeholder in the health care system significant amounts of money while advancing an anti-patient agenda,” specifically highlighting the fees charged to anyone using the CPT code set, including doctors, hospitals, health plans, and health IT vendors. As HELP Committee Chairman, Cassidy notes that he is actively reviewing the “government-backed monopoly around CPT codes and the impact on patient health care costs, especially in the wake of the AMA’s anti-patient, anti-science advocacy efforts.” Cassidy has previously raised concerns about AMA’s policy positions related to gender transitions, abortion, and diversity, equity, and inclusion mandates. His latest letter, which requests that the AMA disclose its revenue from licensing the CPT system, asks for a reply by October 20.

 

Capito Expresses Support for Health Care Visa Fee Exemption – Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chair of the Senate Appropriations Labor-Health and Human Services Subcommittee, has expressed support for exempting health care workers from the Trump administration’s new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. H-1B work visas are used by employers looking to hire international workers for specialty jobs; current H-1B visas are typically paid by the employer.  In remarks last week, Sen. Capito acknowledged concerns that the fee could exacerbate health care workforce shortages, particularly in rural areas. The proclamation signed by the President in September would allow for exemptions to the fee if the Department of Homeland Security deems them in the national interest.

 

Senate Republicans Push for Mifepristone Safety Review – Republicans in the Senate are urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to suspend the approval of any new generic versions of mifepristone pending the outcome of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies safety review. The lawmakers also request that HHS reinstate the in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone and all its generic versions, and withdraw agency guidance permitting pharmacy distribution of the drug. The letter was signed by all Senate Republicans except for Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine).

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.5691 — To prohibit the provision of Federal funds to a local educational agency that imposes or enforces a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on students at the schools served by such agency; Sponsor: Van Drew, Jefferson [Rep.-R-NJ-2]; Committees: House – Education and Workforce

 

H.R.5685 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to increase under the Medicaid program the minimum monthly personal needs allowance for institutionalized individuals and couples, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Moore, Gwen [Rep.-D-WI-4]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5684 —To provide for the coverage of medical food and vitamins and individual amino acids for digestive and inherited metabolic disorders under Federal health programs, to ensure State and Federal protection for existing coverage, and for other purposes; Sponsor: McGovern, James P. [Rep.-D-MA-2]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means; Oversight and Government Reform

 

S.Res.436 — A resolution expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as “National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Crapo, Mike [Sen.-R-ID]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

H.Con.Res.55 — Designating September 2025 as “Gynecologic Cancers Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and

Commerce

 

H.R.5702 — To amend the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to ensure that healthcare providers can assist survivors of domestic violence, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sykes, Emilia Strong [Rep.-D-OH-13]; Committees: House – Judiciary

 

S.Res.440 — A resolution designating September 2025 as “National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Baldwin, Tammy [Sen.-D-WI]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.2981 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the provision of prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Moran, Jerry [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.2989 — A bill to prohibit certain sales or leases of real property for a health care entity if the terms of such a sale or lease would lead to long-term weakened financial status of the health care entity or place the public health at risk, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2986 — A bill to establish certain conditions on employment and other work arrangements at the Food and Drug Administration to ensure the safety and security of drugs and devices; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

H.Res.796 — Expressing support for the designation of October 9 through October 16, 2025, as “National Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) Awareness Week” and a commitment to raise awareness of dyspraxia/DCD in the United States; Sponsor: Lawler, Michael [Rep.-R-NY-17]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.Res.792 — Declaring a need for increased investments in youth mental health, recognizing May 31, 2026, as “Youth Mental Health Day”, recognizing September 9, 2026, annually as “Youth Suicide Prevention Day”, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ansari, Yassamin [Rep.-D-AZ-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5725 — To direct the Attorney General to establish a grant to support communities transitioning to health-centered responses for mental health-related emergencies; Sponsor: Watson Coleman, Bonnie [Rep.-D-NJ-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.5706 — To establish a grant program to assist eligible entities in developing or expanding behavioral health crisis response programs that do not rely primarily on law enforcement, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Ansari, Yassamin [Rep.-D-AZ-3]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.447 — A resolution designating September 25, 2025, as “National Ataxia Awareness Day”, and raising awareness of ataxia, ataxia research, and the search for a cure; Sponsor: Hyde-Smith, Cindy [Sen.-R-MS]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.2997 —A bill to protect the independent judgment of health care professionals acting in the scope of their practice in overriding AI/CDSS outputs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Markey, Edward J. [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Government Shutdown Update – The federal government shut down on October 1 after Congress failed to pass government funding legislation before the end of the fiscal year. As a result, approximately 40% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) workforce has been furloughed, and several major policies have expired, including Medicare telehealth flexibilities and the Acute Hospital Care at Home program. This is the first government shutdown in nearly seven years.

 

The Senate spent last week considering the opposing options for reopening the government.  Senate Democrats have so far rejected the House-passed continuing resolution (CR) to extend government funding through November 21 four times. Senate Republicans have also continued to block Democrat’s alternate funding proposal containing $1.5 trillion in added spending. Senate Republicans need the support of at least five more Democrats to overcome a filibuster of the stopgap spending bill, with three members of the Democratic caucus (Sens. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Angus King (I-Maine) already backing the CR, and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) remaining in opposition.

 

Late last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced the cancellation of votes and the designation of October 7 through October 13 as a district work period for the House of Representatives. The extension of enhanced advanced premium tax credits continues to be at the center of the government funding debate, with Democrats refusing to support any spending measure that does not extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that are set to expire on December 31. Speaker Johnson has maintained that lawmakers can negotiate an extension of ACA subsidies later this month, but that the government must first be reopened through a clean CR free of any policy riders. This aligns with the position of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who has expressed an openness to negotiations on the subsidies, but not while the government is shut down.

 

In the days leading up to the shutdown, the Office of Management and Budget instructed federal agencies to prepare plans for permanent reductions-in-force (RIF) should a government shutdown occur. The latest reports indicate that the firings so far have occurred in independent government agencies – like the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and the National Endowment for the Humanities – but have yet to impact cabinet-level departments like HHS.

 

New GAO Report on Veteran Access to Community Care – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a new report on the barriers veterans face in accessing timely care when referred to community providers outside of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. The GAO asserts that such challenges are tied to poor communication from the Office of Integrated Veteran Care (IVC), which was created in 2022 and tasked with improving coordination between the VA and community care providers. The IVC’s efforts to reorganize and implement workforce reductions in recent years have raised concerns about the potential impact on veteran health care delivery. The GAO recommends that VHA ensure IVC develops a strategy for clear and continuous two-way communication with relevant employees and stakeholders as the office evolves and makes changes to its organizational structure.

 

President Signs Executive Order on AI, Childhood Cancer Treatments – President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday aimed at using artificial intelligence to improve research and treatments for childhood cancer. Under the President’s order, Unlocking Cures for Pediatric Cancer with Artificial Intelligence, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary is directed to ensure that artificial intelligence is used to maximize the potential for electronic health record and claims data to inform research and clinical trial design. The order coincides with an announcement from HHS that the administration will double funding for the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative at the National Cancer Institute. The Childhood Cancer Data Initiative was established in 2019 to collect, generate, and analyze childhood cancer data. Its budget will rise from $50 million to $100 million.

 

Upcoming Congressional Hearings and Markups

Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property hearing “The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act – Restoring Clarity, Certainty, and Predictability to the U.S. Patent System;” 2:30 p.m.; October 8

 

Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing “Bad Medicine: Closing Loopholes that Kill American Patients;” 3:15 p.m.; October 8

 

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing “AI’s Potential to Support Patients, Workers, Children, and Families;” 10:00 a.m.; October 9

 

Recently Introduced Health Legislation

H.R.5611 — To authorize an individual who is transitioning from receiving treatment furnished by the Secretary of Defense to treatment furnished by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to continue receiving treatment from such individual’s mental health care provider of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Thanedar, Shri [Rep.-D-MI-13]; Committees: House – Armed Services; Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.5609 — To direct the National Institutes of Health to reinstate funding to recipients of grants or other awards, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Stevens, Haley M. [Rep.-D-MI-11]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5605 — To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish nonvisual accessibility standards for certain devices with digital interfaces, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Schakowsky, Janice D. [Rep.-D-IL-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5593 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to include eyeglass lens fittings in the category of medical services authorized to be furnished to veterans under the Veterans Community Care Program, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Maloy, Celeste [Rep.-R-UT-2]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.5592 — To prohibit the performance of gender-related medical treatment on minors, to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to prohibit payment and participation under the Medicare program with respect to such treatment, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Mace, Nancy [Rep.-R-SC-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5582 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for hospital and insurer price transparency; Sponsor: James, John [Rep.-R-MI-10]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Education and Workforce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5575 — To authorize grants to fire departments to conduct activities with the goals of reducing falls among older adults and reducing response time when responding to in-home emergencies, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Frankel, Lois [Rep.-D-FL-22]; Committees: House – Science, Space, and Technology

 

H.R.5571 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide no-cost coverage for PFAS testing under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Dingell, Debbie [Rep.-D-MI-6]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.Con.Res.52 — Supporting the designation of the week of September 22 through September 28, 2025, as “National Falls Prevention Awareness Week” to raise awareness, and encourage the prevention, of falls among older adults; Sponsor: Frankel, Lois [Rep.-D-FL-22]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

S.Res.420 — A resolution supporting the designation of September 19, 2025, as “National Concussion Awareness Day”; Sponsor: Hassan, Margaret Wood [Sen.-D-NH]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.2927 — A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements for supporting new mobile cancer screening units to expand patient access to essential screening services in rural and underserved communities, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Marshall, Roger [Sen.-R-KS]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2937 —  A bill to establish legal standards for advanced artificial intelligence products; Sponsor: Durbin, Richard J. [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.Res.422 — A resolution recognizing the seriousness of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as “PCOS Awareness Month”; Sponsor: Warren, Elizabeth [Sen.-D-MA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.Res.429 — A resolution designating September 2025 as “National Infant Mortality Awareness Month”, raising awareness of infant mortality, and increasing efforts to reduce infant mortality; Sponsor: Hyde-Smith, Cindy [Sen.-R-MS]; Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

 

S.J.Res.84 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services relating to “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Market Integrity and Affordability”; Sponsor: Warner, Mark R. [Sen.-D-VA]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2941 — A bill to discontinue certain exceptions from H-1B nonimmigrant visa numerical limitation; Sponsor: Cotton, Tom [Sen.-R-AR]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

S.2943 — A bill to amend chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to allow a veteran to receive a full-year supply of contraceptive pills, transdermal patches, vaginal rings, and other contraceptive products, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Duckworth, Tammy [Sen.-D-IL]; Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs

 

S.2949 —A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate the coinsurance requirement for certain colorectal cancer screening tests furnished under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Booker, Cory A. [Sen.-D-NJ]; Committees: Senate – Environment and Public Works

 

S.2951 — A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for certain adjustments to Medicare payment for items of durable medical equipment that were formerly included in round 2021 of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program; Sponsor: Lankford, James [Sen.-R-OK]; Committees: Senate – Finance

 

S.2954 — A bill to establish grant programs for health professional schools, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Sanders, Bernard [Sen.-I-VT]; Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

 

S.2955 — A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to establish Federal penalties for the knowing and intentional administration of any abortion-inducing drug to a woman without her informed consent, if the abortion-inducing drug has been shipped or transported in interstate commerce, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Banks, Jim [Sen.-R-IN]; Committees: Senate – Judiciary

 

H.Res.775 — Supporting the designation of September 2025 as “National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month”; Sponsor: DeLauro, Rosa L. [Rep.-D-CT-3]; Committees: House – Oversight and Government Reform

 

H.R.5621 — Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2025; Sponsor: DeGette, Diana [Rep.-D-CO-1]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means

 

H.R.5622 — To provide for a coordinated national research program to examine the nature, causes, consequences, and prevention of violence and unintended injury and death relating to gun ownership, use, and trafficking, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Foushee, Valerie P. [Rep.-D-NC-4]; Committees: House – Judiciary; Science, Space, and Technology; Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5629 — To provide that the final rule of the Department of Health and Human Services titled “Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder”, except for the portion of the final rule relating to accreditation of opioid treatment programs, shall have no force or effect; Sponsor: Houchin, Erin [Rep.-R-IN-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5630 — To amend the Public Health Service Act to require additional information in State plans for Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services block grants; Sponsor: Houchin, Erin [Rep.-R-IN-9]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5635 — To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity in connection with the furnishing of health care under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Kennedy, Timothy M. [Rep.-D-NY-26]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.5644 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish new payment rules for certain catastrophic specialty hospitals under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Loudermilk, Barry [Rep.-R-GA-11]; Committees: House – Ways and Means

 

H.R.5646 — Sponsor: Miller, Mary E. [Rep.-R-IL-15]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Judiciary

 

H.R.5662 — To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to remove the exclusion from medical assistance under the Medicaid program of items and services for patients in an institution for mental diseases; Sponsor: Thanedar, Shri [Rep.-D-MI-13]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce

 

H.R.5665 — To amend chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to allow a veteran to receive a full-year supply of contraceptive pills, transdermal patches, vaginal rings, and other contraceptive products, and for other purposes; Sponsor: Underwood, Lauren [Rep.-D-IL-14]; Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs

 

H.R.5671 — To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate the coinsurance requirement for certain colorectal cancer screening tests furnished under the Medicare program; Sponsor: Watson Coleman, Bonnie [Rep.-D-NJ-12]; Committees: House – Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means